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5 last-minute Spring Break travel deals from Vancouver

Lynn Mitges

Published: March 12, 2019 - 11:00 AM

Updated: March 14, 2019 - 2:07 PM

March is an expensive month for travel due to spring break. The typical two-week window to get away is more costly for flights and hotels, but there are some price reductions. You may have to take a flight with several stops, or stay at a hotel that doesn’t have a spa, for example. We found five bookings that may pique your interest for a March getaway. We searched dates from March 17 or 18, with a return one week later. Prices and availability are subject to change, and sites such as Hotwire can not be linked as the deals change frequently.

1. Mexico

The best deal — and by best we mean a direct flight — we found is through SunWing.ca, leaving Vancouver March 16 with a seven-day stay at the Smart Cancun by Oasis for $1,215 per person, reduced from $1,795.

We found a 24 per cent off deal for Cancun, leaving Vancouver March 19 and returning March 25 — with hotel accommodation — for $974. The hotel, the Ibis Cancun Centro, gets three-star reviews and is centrally located. Why is the price comparatively cheaper? Because the flight has two stops, both ways. If you don’t mind a few hours to explore Seattle and San Francisco, you can save a few hundred dollars that could be spent on meals. If you fly direct a day later, the price is $1,280. A March 18 departure for Puerto Vallarta with a one-week stay at the Hotel San Marino — and non-stop flights — is $1,384 per person, almost $600 off the original price. This option comes with add-ons, such as a jungle tour or cultural excursion, priced from $91 each.

2. Disneyland

Kristof takes Anna to the trolls in Frozen – Live at the Hyperion in Disney California Adventure Park.

A week at Disneyland with the kids can be a delight for everyone — get in touch with your own inner kid. For a flight and a stay at the Anaheim Executive Inn & Suites totals $1,491.82 for one week. The hotel is five kilometres from Disneyland and comes with an outdoor pool and complimentary breakfast. You can choose from a non-stop flight getting there, and a flight with one stop on return. A non-stop return flight adds another $190 to the price. For comparison, non-stop flights — with no accommodation — to Los Angeles are about $550 on SkyScanner for the same travel dates: perhaps a challenge for those who like to scope out great deals on Airbnb.

3. Whistler

A rider takes on the terrain while snowboarding at Whistler Blackcomb.

For some sleuthing fun, we checked out Hotwire for prices at this popular spring break destination and found accommodation for $113 a night — with a guaranteed stay at one of the following: Coast Blackcomb Suites; Le Chamois; Lost Lake Lodge; or The Aspens by Whiski Jack. At that price, the lift tickets at about $150 each for five days or so of skiing is doable as long as the suite has a kitchenette so you can make your own meals. Alternatively, feel free to dine out for every meal if you’ve come into some money with a lottery win.

4.Las Vegas

Traffic passes by the famous sign welcoming motorists on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip.

Three nights in Sin City in the Stratosphere — where the Lobster Bisque is to die for — is advertised at $541 per person with a March 19 departure from Abbotsford. Weave your way through the booking process and the package comes in at $742.99. You can upgrade to a king bed for $8.94 per night. A stay at Circus Circus, same dates but with a return flight with two-stops comes in at about $618. The original price of $526 draws you in: Consider yourself warned.

5. Palm Springs

The views are nothing short of spectacular during a ride aboard the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which takes visitors from the floor of the Coachella Valley to the top of Mount San Jacinto.

A popular destination for Canadian travellers, Palm Springs can be a respite, or chance to golf. A non-stop flight — with an additional fee of $77 each — flight and one-week stay at the Vagabond Inn is $1,400 per person. To book a non-stop flight only is about $963 each, and a hotel search didn’t turn up anything for less than $200 — a night.